https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/spiders/ Spiders, scorpions and ticks in the news. Learn why a spider hanging from a thread does not rotate, how spiders find a mate and how ticks carry Lyme Disease. Read about spider silk and spider webs. en-us Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:01:10 EDT Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:01:10 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/spiders/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050628.htm In Yellowstone’s wild chess match between wolves and cougars, it turns out the real power play is theft. After tracking nearly a decade of GPS data and thousands of kill sites, researchers found that wolves often muscle in on cougar kills—sometimes even killing the cats—but cougars never return the favor. Instead of fighting back, cougars adapt. As elk numbers dropped, they shifted toward hunting more deer, which they can eat quickly and in safer terrain, helping them dodge wolf encounters. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:10:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218044628.htm Scientists have developed a powerful new way to forecast where some of the world’s most dangerous scorpions are likely to be found. By combining fieldwork in Africa with advanced computer modeling, the team discovered that soil type is the strongest factor shaping where many lethal species live, while temperature patterns also play a key role. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:36:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218044628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012210.htm Scientists have cracked a key mystery behind spider silk’s legendary strength and flexibility. They discovered that tiny molecular interactions act like natural glue, holding silk proteins together as they transform from liquid into incredibly tough fibers. This same process helps create silk that’s stronger than steel by weight and tougher than Kevlar. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:22:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012210.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112139.htm What looked like a pearl necklace on a tiny spider turned out to be parasitic mite larvae. Scientists identified the mites as a new species, marking the first record of its family in Brazil. The larvae attach to juvenile spiders and feed on lymph through a weak spot in the spider’s body. The discovery came from long-stored specimens, suggesting many more species remain hidden in collections. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:16:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm Dogs began diversifying thousands of years earlier than previously believed, with clear differences in size and shape appearing over 11,000 years ago. A massive global analysis of ancient skulls shows that early dogs were already adapting to different roles in human societies. This challenges the idea that dog diversity is mainly a product of recent breeding. Instead, it points to a long process of coevolution between humans and their earliest canine companions. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:43:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251218060552.htm Researchers announced over 70 new species in a single year, including bizarre insects, ancient dinosaurs, rare mammals, and deep-river fish. Many were found not in the wild, but in museum collections, proving that major discoveries can still be hiding in plain sight. Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:59:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251218060552.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm Researchers studying thousands of canine genomes discovered that wolf DNA is still present in most dog breeds. This ancient genetic influence shows up in traits like body size, behavior, and environmental resilience. Even dogs bred far from wolves, including tiny chihuahuas, carry detectable wolf ancestry. The findings highlight how deeply intertwined the histories of dogs and wolves really are. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:49:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095658.htm Scientists are turning venom, radioisotopes, engineered proteins, and AI into powerful new tools against cancer. From Amazonian scorpions yielding molecules that kill breast cancer cells as effectively as chemotherapy, to improved fibrin sealants and custom-grown bioactive factors, researchers are pushing biotechnology into uncharted territory. Parallel teams are advancing radiotheranostics that diagnose and destroy tumors with precision, while others forge experimental vaccines that train the immune system using hybrid dendritic cells. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:27:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095658.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million years—defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected downsizing, revealed through advanced genomic sequencing, shows that despite its smaller DNA, the island spider is genetically more diverse than its continental relatives. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:48:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm UC Davis scientists uncovered Aptostichus ramirezae, a new trapdoor spider species living under California’s dunes. Genetic analysis revealed it was distinct from its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The species was named after pioneering arachnologist Martina Ramirez. Researchers warn that shrinking coastal habitats could threaten both species’ survival. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:28:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075112.htm From mini-brains to spider-inspired gloves and wolf apple coatings, scientists are turning eerie-sounding experiments into real innovations that could revolutionize health and sustainability. Lab-grown brain organoids may replace animal testing, spider-silk gloves could create instant wound dressings, wolf apple starch keeps veggies fresh, and researchers even found microplastics lurking in human retinas—offering both wonder and a warning about the modern world. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:51:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075112.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251015032304.htm A parasitic worm uses static electricity to launch itself onto flying insects, a mechanism uncovered by physicists and biologists at Emory and Berkeley. By generating opposite charges, the worm and insect attract, allowing the leap to succeed far more often. High-speed cameras and mathematical modeling confirmed this “electrostatic ecology” in action. Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:44:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251015032304.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025308.htm Vincetoxicum nakaianum tricks flies into pollinating it by imitating the smell of ants attacked by spiders. Ko Mochizuki stumbled upon this finding when he noticed flies clustering around the flowers and later confirmed their unusual preference. The study reveals the first known case of ant odor mimicry in plants, expanding our understanding of how diverse floral deception can be. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:07:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002357.htm In Taiwan’s forests, researchers discovered a clever hunting trick by the sheet web spider Psechrus clavis. Instead of immediately devouring captured fireflies, the spiders allow them to glow in the web, luring other insects, sometimes even more fireflies, into the trap. Experiments with LED lights confirmed this eerie strategy: webs lit with firefly-like signals attracted up to ten times more prey. Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:23:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821094520.htm Scientists have uncovered a startling split in the venom of Australia’s Eastern Brown Snake. In the south, bites cause rock-solid blood clots, while in the north, they trigger flimsy clots that collapse almost instantly. This hidden divide means current antivenoms, made from pooled venom of uncertain origin, may not work equally well across the country. Fri, 22 Aug 2025 02:17:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821094520.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045712.htm Half a billion years ago, a strange sea-dwelling creature called Mollisonia symmetrica may have paved the way for modern spiders. Using detailed fossil brain analysis, researchers uncovered neural patterns strikingly similar to today's arachnids—suggesting spiders evolved in the ocean, not on land as previously believed. This brain structure even hints at a critical evolutionary leap that allowed spiders their infamous speed, dexterity, and web-spinning prowess. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about arachnid origins and may even explain why insects took to the skies: to escape their relentless, silk-spinning predators. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:35:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031215.htm Despite our strong belief in dogs' ability to sense good from bad in people, new research shows they may not actually judge human character, at least not in the way we think. When dogs watched how humans treated other dogs, they didn’t favor the kinder person later. Even direct interactions didn’t sway their behavior. The study suggests dogs' reputational judgments might be more nuanced—or harder to study—than we realized. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:06:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:02:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses are increasingly linked to serious diseases in humans and animals. With previous discoveries also pointing to a pattern of viral emergence in wildlife, scientists stress the need for more surveillance—and Pepper remains an unlikely but reliable viral scout. Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:58:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm Scientists have decoded the sea spider’s genome for the first time, revealing how its strangely shaped body—with organs in its legs and barely any abdomen—may be tied to a missing gene. The detailed DNA map shows this ancient creature evolved differently from its spider and scorpion cousins, lacking genome duplications seen in those species. With new gene activity data, researchers now have a powerful tool to explore how sea spiders grow, regenerate, and evolved into some of the oddest arthropods on Earth. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:49:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032922.htm Scientists have discovered that the bacteria behind Lyme disease and anaplasmosis have a sneaky way of surviving inside ticks—they hijack the tick’s own cell functions to steal cholesterol they need to grow. By tapping into a built-in protein pathway, the bacteria keep themselves alive until they can infect a new host. The research opens the door to new methods of stopping these diseases before ticks ever get the chance to bite. A new web tool also reveals that this trick might be used by other blood-feeding bugs too. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:57:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234744.htm Locked-down Hungarians who gained or lost pets saw almost no lasting shift in mood or loneliness, and new dog owners actually felt less calm and satisfied over time—hinting that the storied “pet effect” may be more myth than mental-health remedy even in extreme isolation. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:57:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250701234744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162551.htm Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and how it gained and lost genes in the process. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162551.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125052.htm A new study has revealed why some spiders possess venom that is far more potent than others. By analyzing the venoms of more than 70 different spider species, the team explored whether factors such as body size, prey type, and hunting method, including the use of webs, could explain the wide variation in venom strength. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:50:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125052.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124247.htm Researchers developed a way to extend the shelf life of vegetables by injecting them with melatonin using biodegradable microneedles. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:42:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112731.htm A team of researchers has unveiled a cutting-edge Amphibious Robotic Dog capable of roving across both land and water with remarkable efficiency. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:27:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112731.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142956.htm Just in time for tick season, new research is shining a light on how animals develop resistance to tick bites, which points toward the possibility of developing more effective vaccines against the tiny, disease-carrying bloodsuckers. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:29:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142956.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162215.htm Researchers have shown they can inexpensively nanomanufacture silk microneedles to precisely fortify crops, monitor plant health, and detect soil toxins. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:22:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162106.htm Researchers have developed silk iron microparticles (SIMPs) -- magnetic, biodegradable carriers designed to deliver therapies directly to disease sites like aneurysms or tumors. The particles are created by chemically bonding iron oxide nanoparticles to regenerated silk fibroin using glutathione, enhancing their magnetic responsiveness while maintaining biocompatibility. These nanoscale carriers, roughly one-hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair, can potentially be guided externally to precise locations in the body. The platform enables localized delivery of therapeutic agents such as extracellular vesicles, regenerative factors, or drugs, offering a minimally invasive approach to treating conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysms and expanding the potential for targeted therapies in regenerative medicine. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:21:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162106.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221942.htm Scientists suggest social spiders are more about going with the flow than sticking to a role, after new research challenges the idea of fixed personalities. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:19:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164033.htm Piperacillin, an antibiotic in the same class as penicillin, effectively cured mice of Lyme disease at 100-times less than the effective dose of doxycycline, the current gold standard treatment. At such a low dose, piperacillin also had the added benefit of 'having virtually no impact on resident gut microbes.' Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:40:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164033.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163339.htm Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in areas where pheasants are released, new research shows. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:33:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163339.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162213.htm Some fruit flies sacrifice sleep to avoid parasites like mites. Researchers discovered marked differences in gene expression related to metabolism in the hypervigilant flies. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:22:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114840.htm New research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife, ecosystems and climate. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:48:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114840.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141359.htm In an analysis of soil samples from twelve parks in Dublin, Ireland, park entrances were more heavily contaminated with infective roundworm eggs than any other tested park location. Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:13:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141359.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317164045.htm Overuse of chemical pesticides has driven resistance in agricultural pests, including the adaptable two-spotted spider mite. Researchers have discovered novel elicitor proteins, Tet3 and Tet4, in mite saliva that could enhance sustainable pest control. They found that these proteins play a crucial role in modulating plant defense responses by acting as key players in the complex interactions between parasite and host, paving the way for new mite countermeasures. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:40:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317164045.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134153.htm New research has revealed that people often do not perceive the true meaning of their pet's emotions and can misread their dog. The reasons for this are many and include a human misunderstanding of dog expressions due to a bias towards projecting human emotions onto our pets. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:41:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134153.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307144702.htm When they weave their webs, spiders pull their silk threads. New simulations show stretching during spinning causes the protein chains within the fibers to align and the number of hydrogen bonds between those chains to increase. Both factors increase the silk fibers' overall strength and toughness. Insights could be applied to designing stronger, tougher synthetic materials. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 14:47:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307144702.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250306152926.htm Researchers have discovered genes linked to obesity in both Labradors and humans. They say the effects can be over-ridden with a strict diet and exercise regime. Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:29:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250306152926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250217133603.htm Reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could lead to an expansion of native woodland which could take in and store one million tons of CO2 annually, according to a new study. Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:36:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250217133603.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143928.htm College students who spent a little bit of free time each week interacting with therapy dogs on campus during their first semester experienced fewer signs of stress and depression than those who did not. That's according to a new study that examined how regular, long-term access to an animal-assisted drop-in program influenced first-year students' mental health. Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:39:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143928.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142513.htm Honey bee mortality can be significantly reduced by ensuring that treatments for the parasitic Varroa mite occur within specific timeframes, a new study reveals. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:25:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142513.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129132654.htm A recent study investigated the identity of a fungus found on a spider during filming of the BBC Winterwatch series in Northern Ireland. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:26:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129132654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129121409.htm Researchers have identified priority areas for conserving the black-tailed prairie dog in the United States. Protecting these regions will also benefit North America's Central Grasslands and the many associated grassland species that flourished there centuries ago. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:14:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129121409.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129115356.htm Wandering salamanders are known for gliding high through the canopies of coastal redwood forests, but how the small amphibians stick their landing and take-off with ease remains something of a mystery. A new study reveals the answer may have a lot to do with a surprising mechanism: blood-powered toes. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:53:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129115356.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129115231.htm In the most comprehensive global analysis of genetic diversity ever undertaken, an international team of scientists has found that the genetic diversity is being lost across the globe but that conservation efforts are helping to safeguard species. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:52:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129115231.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128123827.htm Mites who hitchhike on the beaks of hummingbirds use a surprising method to help them on their journey: electricity. These hummingbird flower mites feed on nectar and live within specific flowers for their species. When it is time to seek out a new flower, they hitch a ride via hummingbirds, but for years researchers have not been sure exactly how these tiny, crawling arachnids quickly disembark at the right flower. Researchers are now closer to answering these questions. Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:38:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128123827.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250124154219.htm An international research team has discovered various mechanisms in asexual mites that generate genetic diversity and thus ensure survival. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:42:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250124154219.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123110328.htm A research team has uncovered the molecular mechanism behind the remarkable underwater adhesion of hairy mussels. Their findings reveal an oxidation-independent adhesion process driven by interactions between EGF/EGF-like domains and GlcNAc-based biopolymers. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:03:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123110328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm Researchers, citizen scientists and their 'truffle dogs' -- have discovered two new species of truffle. Tuber canirevelatum, meaning the 'dog-found' truffle, was named in honor of truffle dogs and Monza, the dog who discovered it with her trainer Lois Martin. The other, Tuber cumberlandense, was named for the Cumberland Plateau where it was found by Margaret Townsend and her truffle dog, Luca. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:20:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250113134154.htm Radiation-induced mutation is unlikely to have induced genetic differences between dog populations in Chornobyl City and the nearby Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:41:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250113134154.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241211125100.htm While good dogs never mean harm, they are often directed to remain on-lead in nature reserves to protect wildlife. Research has found that whether dog owners follow this rule is mostly driven by social factors. Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:51:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241211125100.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241204145004.htm A new study sheds light on how long humans in the Americas have had relationships with the ancestors of today's dogs -- and asks an 'existential question': What is a dog? Wed, 04 Dec 2024 14:50:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241204145004.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241127135402.htm Scientists create potential for genetic tools to control disease-spreading ticks. Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:54:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241127135402.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121141215.htm Biologists have determined that Florida panthers are likely not at increased risk for contracting chronic wasting disease from eating infected deer. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:12:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121141215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241108211122.htm Highland deer mice and their lowland cousins ventured on a simulated seven-week ascent to 6,000 meters. By tracking how the mice responded to cold stress and progressively lower oxygen levels, the study tested whether deer mice have a generalized ability to acclimatize or whether some mice have evolved adaptations to local conditions. The highland mice were better able to regulate their body temperature, an indication that mice living at higher altitudes have evolved distinct ways to acclimatize to low oxygen conditions. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 21:11:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241108211122.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241108113716.htm A recent study showed that the heart rate variability of a dog and its owner adapt to each other during interaction. High heart rate variability is associated with relaxation, while low heart rate variability indicates stimulation. The study deepens our understanding of the emotional connection between a dog and its owner, including its underlying physiological mechanisms. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:37:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241108113716.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241031124438.htm Imagine a sweater that powers electronics to monitor your health or charge your mobile phone while running. This development faces challenges because of the lack of materials that both conduct electricity stably and are well suited for textiles. Now a research group presents an ordinary silk thread, coated with a conductive plastic material, that shows promising properties for turning textiles into electricity generators. Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:44:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241031124438.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241030150330.htm The cervid livestock business is one of the fastest-growing industries in rural America. In Missouri alone, more than 250 farms are dedicated to raising deer. To improve overall herd health and support the state's economy, researchers are working to determine how best to manage white-tailed deer on these farms. A study shows that infections, such as pneumonia, are a major cause of death in Midwestern white-tailed deer. Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:03:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241030150330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029120652.htm Paleontologists have identified fossils of an ancient species of bug that spent the past 450 million years covered in fool's gold in central New York. The new species, Lomankus edgecombei, is a distant relative of modern-day horseshoe crabs, scorpions, and spiders. It had no eyes, and its small front appendages were best suited for rooting around in dark ocean sediment, back when what is now New York state was covered by water. Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:06:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029120652.htm